The increased participation of the laity in the life of a parish community has been strongly encouraged by the Vatican Council II. As a result more individuals are taking roles in the liturgical celebrations as pastoral musicians, lectors, extraordinary ministers of the Eucharist, and greeters; volunteers are the backbone of religious education programs; and many other committees such as worship, social concerns, peace and justice etc. have been established in parishes. An alive-parish is one in which parishioners see the fulfillment of their baptismal commitment as they volunteer in varied ways and live lives as good stewards. The Church’s Code of Canon Law also mandates the mission of the People of God by providing structures for collaboration on the parish level. The Code calls for a Finance Council as well as a Parish Pastoral Council. It is the latter that is our concern here. “…A pastoral council is to be established in each parish; the pastor presides over it, and through it the Christian faithful along with those who share in the pastoral care of the parish in virtue of their office give their help in fostering pastoral activity. The pastoral council possesses a consultative vote only and is governed by norms determined by the diocesan bishop.” Code of Canon Law, 536
Members of the Pastoral Council 2018-2019: Fr. Joseph Genito, Fr. Michael Hughes, Deacon Donald DiCarlo, Mrs. Chrissy Quisenberry (Vice-Chair) Mrs. Mimi Null (Secretary), Mr. Robert Leggiadro, Mrs. Beth Vollmer, Mr. Gregory DiCocco, Mr. James Holman, Mr. John Cellucci, Mr. Michael Murphy, Mr. Steven Molinari, Mrs. Jocelin Joseph, Mrs. Mary Anne Bibby